On Friday, July 8 at 4 o’clock, there will be a service to celebrate the life of Ross Dailey. Ross enjoyed sharing with each and every one in our congregation over the 35 years he attended our church. After the service there will be a gathering in the Fellowship Hall to share with the family. Please join us.

Ross T. DaileyJanuary 7, 2016Adirondack Daily EnterpriseIn life there are two kinds of people. Some come and go in our lives unnoticed. And then there are the very precious few who touch our lives, and we are forever blessed. Ross Tallman Dailey, our kind, compassionate gentle husband, father and devoted grandfather, blessed our lives forever. He passed quietly in his sleep on Jan. 4, 2016, in Ocala, Florida.He is survived by his wife Karen Dailey, son Ryan Tallman Dailey (wife Melissa) and his oh-so-special three grandchildren: Tallman, Adalyn and Eli. He also is survived by his two sisters: Pamela Hillebrand (husband Robert) of Ocala, Florida, and Diane Dailey of Los Angeles, California.Ross was born June 18, 1936, in Pearl River. He graduated from Albany State Teachers' College with Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees. He received his Ph.D. from Michigan State University in 1972. He was the Business Department chairman at West Babylon High School on Long Island for more than 20 years.

He moved with his family to Saranac Lake and began a 15-year employment with North Country Community College. His positions were associate professor, acting dean of students and chair of the Business, Recreation and Human Services Division. He was a respected colleague, sensitive leader and model educator.In 1993, Ross was granted a sabbatical to be a visiting professor in the Graduate School of Education at his alma mater, Michigan State University in East Lansing, Michigan. He was joined by his son Ryan for a unique experience both of them shared, creating great memories and growing closer together as father and son. Karen and the family pet, Chelsey, remained in Saranac Lake as Karen was employed at the Tupper Lake Central School District as a math educator.Ross retired from NCCC in 1996. He continued a 15-year career as a U.S. soccer official throughout the North Country. His love of officiating brought him great joy. Many times parents could be heard saying, "Ross is the gentlest official on the field. When my daughter commits a foul, Ross always made it a teachable moment." Imagine if all youth could experience such kindness and learning.Ross was the director of the FHA at Kiwassa Road. When he left there, residents knew they were losing a uniquely compassionate leader for all.Ross was a 36-year member of the Saranac Lake United Methodist Church. He was the resident photographer for the church's annual Turkey Supper, capturing many memories of our church community effort. He so dearly appreciated all of the friends he made in the Tri-Lakes. If you are reading this and were fortunate enough to spend time with him, please know he enjoyed every conversation with you. He found much joy in his life by being able to touch others lives through his compassion and gentleness. He was as humble a man as they come, and we are grateful to be touched by his kindness. His 12-year-old, ever-loyal border collie, Buddy, survives.Two celebrations of Ross' life will be held. The first will be in Ocala, Florida, at Ocala West United Methodist Church on Friday, Jan. 8 at 4 p.m., followed by a small meal. The second celebration and meal will be held in Saranac Lake at the United Methodist Church sometime in May or June, followed by the spreading of his ashes.Those wishing to remember Ross may do any of the following: Make a donation in his name to the Tri-Lakes Humane Society in Saranac Lake, send flowers for the service on Friday to Ocala West United Methodist Church in Ocala, Florida, or post a story or memory on his memorial site at Beautiful Tribute.

Gather Us In

“We, who are many, are one body in Christ, and, individually, members who belong to one another.” Romans 12:5 July, 3rd, 2016 will mark the beginning of our coming together to unify all our members from the two services we’ve held for the past several years. This is especially exciting because when we are unified as a fellowship it tends to generate more energy, and it fortifies our strength as a fellowship. No doubt we will experience more joy as we consolidate and join together our praises and worship of God and our appreciation for one another. There have been an increasing number of us who felt the need to merge our two services into one. During our open meeting for all members following the Church Council meeting on May 16th, all who were present were in favor to combine both services into one. Sharing our time of worship together in one worship service may prove to be more enriching. One of the great practices of our spiritual walk is the physical assembling of the fellowship, to congregate, to come together, but more importantly, it is to know for what purpose we come together. We may all be aware that our Sunday morning gathering is about worship. But, the worshipping of God is not the only thing that is happening in these gatherings; our joining together is also about Christian communion under the one whom we serve and worship. If we aspire to follow the example of the early church, each time we met would be considered a Holy Communion – which is not only a matter of serving bread and wine, or the body and blood of Christ. Holy Communion, in a physical sense, is a “holy” coming together of Christian individuals to recognize that the Body of Christ is one and that Jesus Christ is the head of the Church. The body of Christ is the church – a living breathing organism where God has come to live and abide within her. The upward limit of her influence in the world is unknown because she, the church, is under the influence of the Spirit of God. It is most vital that the church realizes that it is not along, that God’s presence is very much a part of her existence. When that awareness is heightened of God being with her as she bears witness to the truth that God is in fact love, and that it has never been His intent to destroy lives, but to infuse His life within human beings, then the true character of God will become more apparent as it releases in the hearts of people. I am convinced that we underestimate the power of the fellowship to wield such influence in broken lives. Lives can be powerfully touched even with a few who gather to serve God. Each additional person who comes to the fellowship brings with him or her added influence to the body because God is abiding within each heart, and each person brings a uniqueness of his or her gifts to be shared and dispensed within the body and wherever one is sent to bring God’s compassion and grace to people. The fellowship is like a nursery for those who are newly introduced to the Christian faith and way of life. Often the fellowship consists of Christians who are well seasoned and learned, and have served in leadership roles as teachers, lay leaders, council members, and directors of various organizations in the church and with mission projects. The Scripture makes clear that every person who has come into the faith has been granted a gift or gifts from God that could add to the vital function of the Church. But, gifts given to the church must be understood, and should be put into practice so all may benefit and be bless by their virtues. No one person can possess all the gifts that God dispenses, as a consequence, this makes us interdependent on one another and with God. We miss so much when we abstain from one another. Isolation dissipates and diffuses our influence as a Church. But, as we rally together as a unifying body to bring God’s peace into the world, it really does have an attraction for those in the fellowship and for those in the world. Therefore we pray: “Lord, gather us in, call us now, and we shall awaken, we shall arise at the sound of our name. Give us a heart of meekness and give us the courage to enter your will. Nourish us well, and teach us to fashion lives that are holy and hearts that are true. Gather us in – calling all persons together, the fire of love in our flesh and our bone. Amen (Words in prayer adapted and adopted from “Gather Us In” by Marty Haugen).

Click on the "We Need You - Sign Up Today!" to reserve your photographic portrait appointment time on Wednesday June 17th or Thursday June 18th from 2:00PM to 9:00PMSeniors, First Respondents meaning police, fire, EMS and Veterans will receive a 20% discount should they wish to purchase photos. Anyone bringing in a non-perishable item for our local food pantry will receive $5 off their purchase.

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The ladies of the First United Methodist Church of Saranac Lake will be holding their "Swing into Spring" Rummage Sale from April 23rd to 25th, 2015. Come on down and see what bargains can be had at this fantastic sale! Donations of your unwanted items can be made up to Wednesday April 22nd.

All items should be clean, functional, and suitable for resale.No used TV's or non functional electronics will be accepted!All Sales are FINAL with no Refunds, Returns, Exchanges, or Credits!Terms Cash and Carry.

Rummage Sale times are listed as follows:

Thursday April 23rd from 9:00AM to 7:00PMFriday April 24th from 9:00AM to 7:00PMSaturday April 25th from 9:00AM to Noon! "Bag Day"